☕ Kenya Coffee School’s Support for APBET Funding to Bridge the Training Gap
The Kenya Coffee School (KCS), primarily through its community-focused initiative Barista Mtaani, strongly supports the movement to secure Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training (APBET) funding for skills development to address the significant training gap in the local coffee industry.
While APBET traditionally refers to non-formal or low-cost basic schooling in marginalized areas, the spirit of the funding motion—providing accessible and affordable skills training to underserved youth—aligns perfectly with KCS’s mission to professionalize the coffee value chain from farm to cup.
Why APBET Funding is Crucial for Coffee Training
Kenya produces some of the world’s most premium coffee, yet much of the value addition (roasting, brewing, cafe management) and the associated high-value jobs are often disconnected from local communities, creating a skills and opportunity gap.
- Accessibility and Affordability: The Barista Mtaani initiative, a key arm of KCS, operates on a not-for-profit model, often offering subsidized or micro-scholarship programs to youth in counties and informal settlements. Securing APBET-style public funding (like support from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and County Governments, as mentioned in their proposals) would ensure this vital training remains affordable for young people from low-income backgrounds who cannot access high-cost training in major cities.
- Addressing the Skills Gap: Rapid growth in Kenya’s local coffee consumption and café culture has outpaced the supply of professionally trained baristas, roasters, and cuppers. KCS’s programs, which emphasize a 70% practical, hands-on focus, are designed to create job-ready professionals. Public funding can help scale these programs quickly to meet the industry’s demand.
- Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship: The training provided by KCS/Barista Mtaani is not just about making coffee; it integrates Business & Financial Literacy. The goal is to empower youth to start their own coffee kiosks or micro-enterprises, keeping the value and profits within the local economy. Funding support would help establish more Value Addition Training Hubs (VATHs) and mobile training units across the country.
- Connecting the Value Chain: By training skilled professionals, KCS directly elevates the demand for high-quality Kenyan beans locally. This creates a “virtuous cycle” where the farmer benefits from a new generation of professionals who understand, value, and are willing to pay a premium for high-quality, traceable Kenyan coffee.
KCS’s Approach to Filling the Gap
Kenya Coffee School and Barista Mtaani are actively bridging this gap through: - Community-Based Training: Implementing a “Barista on the Move” program that delivers education directly to counties, making it geographically accessible.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Offering training that covers the entire value chain—from agronomy basics and regenerative farming to roasting, cupping, and barista skills.
- Digital Credentials: Utilizing mobile-first platforms for learning and certification, making the process modern and traceable for employers.
By advocating for and accessing flexible public funding mechanisms like the APBET model, KCS aims to transform coffee education into a core institution for national capacity building, ensuring that Kenya’s coffee heritage is carried forward by a skilled and confident new generation.
Would you like to know more about the specific courses offered by the Kenya Coffee School or the impact of the Barista Mtaani initiative?